New Member

Hi Everyone,

I have just been diagnosed bipolar and am a little confused and relieved at the same time. confused as to how this has come to be and relieved because i now have some answers to why thing have been how they are.

It is rather an ironic story becaue I work for Canada Mental Health and I deal with people who have bipolar, and much much more every day and now here I am...can't beat em join em LOL

I have caught my symptoms very early so it has not gotten to the point of affecting my work, has effected my home to some degree because I was flipping out on my husband and kids way to easy. I guess one of the hardest things is now I feel like I have this big secret from everyone...

Well that's sorta my story, If you have questions you can ask as I hope I can pick other peoples brains in return.

Steph

Well it sounds like you work in a profession where people are demystified about bipolar, which is really good. It is also awesome that you have knowledge about the disorder already. That was probably the worst part for me - not knowing what to expect in the future, on meds, whatever.

Welcome to the forums, I hope you like it here

WELCOME, Steph!!!

Glad to have you here at PC. We're a very supportive and non-judgmental bunch on this forum, and I hope you enjoy and can learn from those with more experience with this disorder. I'm only a little farther down that road than you are---I was diagnosed in February of this year, but suffered with it for many years before I received a label for my recurrent bouts of anger, up and down moods, and intrusive thoughts.

It is a game-changer, that's for sure. I'm still struggling to accept my diagnosis, even as I'm relieved to have an explanation for my symptoms all those years; you'll probably want to expect some back-and-forth with yours as well. It is hard on one's dignity to be called "mentally ill", hard to contend with well-meaning family and friends who tend to discount one's understandable reactions to being stepped on with "Oh, that's just X being bipolar again". (That's my biggest gripe about having BP---I loathe being marginalized and having legitimate complaints waved away with "What, are you off your meds or something?" )

This is a good place to vent all of that stuff, and more. Hope you find comfort and support here.

Welcome to pc hope you enjoy it here

Welcome. It's a great board!!

to PC Steph! I'm sure you'll like it here, our theme park gets a bit crazy, we post about this, that and everything inbetween but what else would you expect? LOL. I've been here for a little over 2yrs and just love my cyber family, please feel free to share as much or as little as you're comfortable here, its really special when someone replies and relates to you, I don't have that IRL.

Welcome. I was working with mentally ill ppl years ago and had no predjudice whatsoever.My dream was to become an Occupational Therapist, dropped out after 2yrs in UNI coz of illness. When I got diagnosed in 2004 I found out that I was my own worst enemy... Long time since then, a rocky road, but I´ve learned so much and grown.
Feel free to ask questions or contact me.

Hi and welcome

Hello. Welcome.

Well, congratulations! Early diagnosis, not much harm done yet - that is a happy story. Enjoy the feeling of control over your life.

Welcome to PC

Welcome to Bipolar World we hope your stay here will be a happy one since there are no exits out of Bipolar World. Your stay at Bipolar World is forever or until you die, which ever comes first. Additional tours of Bipolar World are available for a set fee. These tours include the Bipolar 1 w/ Psychotic Ideations bus which is very rare so if you see it be sure to catch it. Other tours include the common Soft-Bipolar 2 bus and this bus is always full so be sure to catch it early. Remember there are no exit doors from Bipolar World since there is no cure, so we ask that you keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times. Please enjoy your stay at Bipolar World.

Well congratulations on the early diagnosis! Hopefully it will spare you heavier
burdens that a delayed diagnosis can bring :-)

It's not a secret you have to keep. You're the same person you were before you
were diagnosed. If you don't want people to know, don't tell them. A diagnosis doesn't
change who you are :-)

Your post hit a nerve with me. My hubby is constantly asking me if I took my meds. Ticks me OFF!

Hi Steph,

Welcome to the group....I'm new too.

I'm glad you caught the BP early. You don't have to tell anyone you have it. It's up to you. It's your private information.

I did tell several ppl. Wish now I didn't tell a few of them bc of the reaction and the totally NOT understanding.

Have a couple family members and a couple friends that try to understand....so that's good.

Hi, I am brand new to this diagnosis too. Guess we're going through this together! Right now I'm trying to decide if/how to tell family and friends. I think about how easy it would be to talk about a physical illness, but this is so hard. I don't want to be judged. But I don't want to hide who I am. BibolarNurse I hear you about not wanting to be dismissed "oh that's just her being bipolar" but I also am doing this to MYSELF. Just not trusting my own feelings or thoughts. It sucks! and I'm so worried that my son will develop this too. He has ADHD and is 7. But who knows what the future holds. Thanks for letting me high jack your post a little. Looking forward to getting to know you all better. xox